2:11 PM,
Apr. 1, 2013

Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez talks to the media outside the clubhouse Monday before the team's season opener against the Red Sox.

Written by

Chad Jennings

Alex Rodriguez was back with the Yankees on Monday, but he was not in the Opening Day lineup and was not introduced during pregame ceremonies.

"I don't need to be introduced to feel like I'm a part of this team," he said. "When I get introduced, I want to be on the field and not look back."

Rodriguez was not with the Yankees at all in spring training, instead shuttling between New York and Miami while rehabbing his surgically repaired left hip. He had not spoken publicly since the surgery, or since the January newspaper report alleging he used performance enhancing drugs as recently as last season. ...